DeMarco Murray-RB-Eagles: When Murray was behind the league’s top offensive line in Dallas last season, he ran wild! Not the case this time around in Philadelphia. Besides there being a much less talented O-Line in Philly, Murray will be fighting for carries with Darren Sproles and Ryan Matthews; a whole different sort of level of competition than he had with the Cowboys. Draft with care.

A completely different look for DeMarco Murray in green but his value could take a hit now that he is removed from the Cowboy’s superb O-Line. Photo: Twitter.com

Julius Thomas-Tight End-Jaguars: Besides the fact that Thomas has yet to play more than 14 games in a season, he didn’t even net 500 yards in 13 appearances last season! And that’s with Peyton Manning heaving the rock! Thomas will be more a Marcedes Lewis-like TE ( in terms of fantasy points) in Jacksonville with Blake Bortles under center. Just don’t expect the Thomas of old.

Nick Foles-QB-Rams: The only way we can describe the receiving talent in St. Louis in one word would be “average”. The oft-injured Foles, will be under the leadership of a Jeff Fisher team which has a propensity to just pound the rock. Couldn’t get more opposite going from a Chip Kelly machine gun- like offense to the aforementioned Jeff Fisher, which will not help Foles’ cause one bit.

Coby Fleener-Tight End-Colts: We can feel the eyes rolling a bit with this prospective bust pick but, come on, Andrew Luck already had a Quarterback’s dream receiving corps and that was BEFORE this year’s acquisitions of Andre Johnson and Phillip Dorsett. Just not going to be enough opportunities for Fleener with the multi-options at Luck’s disposal. A much better pick at TE would be Vernon Davis who is just two-years removed from a 13 TD season, and who has been going unbelievably late in drafts.

Peyton Manning-QB-Broncos: Is it sacrilege to even ‘suggest’ that Peyton will be a bust? Perhaps. After all he is a legend in the NFL, however here is what we’re looking at: Last December, Manning threw for just 3 touchdowns while serving up 6 interceptions. Couple that with the loss of LT Ryan Clady who is out for the year and Manning’s age (40) and well, we think you need to be careful and not overpay for a name as sexy as Peytons…

#18 Peyton Manning…are his best years behind him following his worst career December last season? The Furnace thinks fantasy owners should not overpay for this NFL super-star. Photo: USA TODAY

For many teams this week will mark the halfway point in the regular season already. How fast did THAT go? Interesting weekend of football coming up; We’ve got another rookie quaterback starting, this one is Zach Mettenberger of the Titans, then there’s a 9:30 a.m. televised game from London featuring the Lions vs the Dolphins, concluding with the Cowboys and Indians (Redskins actually) on MNF.

*Home team in CAPS

CHIEFS -7 over the Rams- The Rams did an outstanding job of upsetting the Seahawks last week but now it’s back to reality in probably the league’s second most loudest stadium. In their only home game this season, Kansas City destroyed New England 41-14. They will have no mercy on St. Louis on Sunday.

JAGUARS +6 over the Dolphins- Jags quarterback Blake Bortles has been coming on and led the Jaguars to an impressive 24-6 stunning win over the Browns in Week 7. Jacksonville’s defensive line has quietly amassed the second most sacks in the NFL (22). We’ll take the six points against a middle-of-the-road team like the Fish.

Texans -3 over the TITANS- Neither team will blow anyone away but we’ll take seasoned veteran gunslinger and “Bearded Wonder” Ryan Fitzpatrick over rookie Zach Mettenberger any day of the week, especially Sunday. Jadevon Clowney and J.J. Watt on defense and RB Arian Foster the team’s main offensive threat, make this an even easier decision.

Ravens -1 over the BENGALS- Baltimore and Joe Flacco have been playing on all cylinders while the ‘Bungles’, ever since the loss of all pro wide receiver A.J. Green went down with an injury, haven’t returned to their winning ways. The Ravens, known for their “D”, have only yielded 14.8 points per game this season and should take care of a Bengals team that not only couldn’t beat Carolina, but gave up 37 points in that game to the ‘Cats.

Colts -3 over the STEELERS- Short week for the Steelers who played on Monday and enjoyed a big win. Although on paper this sounds like a highly competitive game, the loss of Trent Richardson and possibly Reggie Wayne won’t help Indianapolis but Andrew Luck just continues to find ways to win with his favorite receiver T.Y. Hilton.

Our record this season, although over .500 could be on life support without an outstanding week in this Week #7. We’ll need some Luck from Andrew, and some help from two Marshall’s, a WR in Chicago & a RB on Seattle, and hope that this is the year of the Buffalo, just to get more on the winning side. Let’s get right to this week’s picks…

*Home team in CAPS

COLTS -3 over Bengals- If the usually defensive-minded Bengals can give up 37 points to the Panthers then try to imagine what the team (Indianapolis) with the most yards per game (444) could do. Andrew Luck has had a quarterback’s ‘dream year’ to date thanks in part to the “Hotel being open”, in the person of T.Y. Hilton… The Bengals will play this one without the services of A.J. Green once again, and while we know that WR Mohammed Sanu with get the bulk of the targets in his place, so do the Colts…

With no timetable set, A.J. Green’s return is still up in the air which means that Mohammed Sanu should see lots of action on Sunday says the Furnace. AP Photo/Al Behrman.

BEARS -3 1/2 over Dolphins- The last time we touted the Dolphins was for their game across the pond in London, a game that saw them outplayed by the Raiders. Our thinking is twofold: first, the Bears have more talent on their team than the Raiders, and second the Bears have yet to win at Soldier Field (0-2) and that should change this week. Sack specialist DE Willie Young will take his NFL leading 7 sacks and put some pressure on Chad Henne all afternoon.

Seahawks -7 over RAMS- Although our reasoning here might not sound very scientific, this is our take. Although the Rams looked good and stayed with the San Francisco 49ers for the entire first half in Week 6, they faded into obscurity in the following two quarters. Seattle, losers of just 2 of their last 19 games played at CenturyLink, lost at home to the upstart 5-1 Dallas Cowboys in Week 6 and will be eager to get back to their thie winning ways against the Rams, a less talented team than the Cowboys.

BILLS -5 1/2 over Vikings- When two mediocre teams play each other, we would prefer to pick the team with a more balance attack, (the Bills), and a team that is playing at home, (the Bills). We would not pick the team that has trouble scoring, (the Vikings). How much trouble have they had putting up points? How about this stat; Minnesota has scored just 29 points in their four losses (3-7-9-and 10) and so since we feel that Buffalo will beat the Bills, we are willing to give up the 5 1/2.

STEELERS -3 1/2 over Texans- Just cannot see the Steelers losing two in a row especially after their thorough butt-kicking they took at the hands of the Cleveland Browns last week. It’s a Monday Night game which means a big stage for the home town Steelers, a raucous crowd, and what we think will be a big night for Big Ben!

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